The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-09-22
PiERcE's TREMENDOUS JOKE.
New HampshIre's Committee Of In
vestigation Sustain Mr.. Sawyer.
Paid Lobbyists, Like Carrion Birds,
In Legislative Halls.
Remarks Made to Sawyer Improper
Under any circumstances.

CONCORD, N. H., Sept. 21.-The following
Is the report of the investigating committee
Of the Senate on the alleged attempted brib-
cry Of Senator Oliver ID. Sawyer by Kirk d.
Pierce. 1t is signed by four Of the five men,
bers of the committee and handed in at noon
today. Mr. Hefsey, of Keene, made mi
nority report.
The committee has heard all the evidence
presented and listened to the arguments of
the counsel. Mindful that we are servants
Of the people, representatives OF the press
have been admitted to all the hearings, and
by order Of the Senate competent stenog-
rapher has been employed and a report OF
the testimony has been printed.
At the outset IL Is apparent TO all that the
testimony OF Senator Sawyer and Of Mr..
Pierce cannot be reconciled upon any theory
vantage Of every doubt Upon our con-
struction Of the testimony and In our opin-
ion Hon. oliver ID. Sawyer Is justified in the
conclusion that 1t was the intent of Mr..
Pierce TO tender bribe. We have conf
dence In his integrity and accept his testi-
mony as truthful statement Of the speech
of Mr.. Pierce, as he understood 1t. In re-
gard to subsequent associations detailed In
the testimony we hold him blameless.
In the mind OF many the fact that Kirk ID.
Pierce was member Of paid lobby dis
counts his own defence in advance. Admit
ting for moment the "stupend0us Joke" Of
his testimony, we find him blameable for
any mention OF money In any conversation
with a member Of the Legislature concern
ing his vote upon pending question. Such
conversations, even II conducted In jocu-
lar manner, are liable to be construed as an
outer fortifcation preliminary TO more se-
rious attack. We find, however, that there
was neither suggestion nor evidence that
Mr.. Pierce was authorized by any railroad
corporation or by any person to approach
Mr.. Sawyer or any member of the Legisla-
ture with any promises OF reward or corrupt
solicitation.
Referring to the testimony covering the
first and second days Of September, we find
that Senator Sawyer was not an original
member OF the party who visited Sunapee
Lake, and in our opinion his visit there was
entirely independent Of the presence Of the
other gentlemen who are named In the evil
dence. We further find that his meetings
and association with Mr.. Pierce at the lake
were accidental, and not Of his seeking.
The allegation Of Samuel X. Page demands
attention. The charge contained in the allie
CATION OF this witness, If true, Is serious.
Upon this point we are unanimously OF the
opinion that the language imputed to Sena-
tor Sawyer was not uttered by him, and that
the evidence upon this point Is fabrication.
The testimony, secured and published by
the committee Is limited to the conversation
and the relations between member Of the
Senate and a person representing interests
pending before the legislature. The true
situation Is more fruitful Of suggestions than
Of established facts Amid ample surround
ings the committee has labored in a limited
field. This case will be justly regarded
by the public as representative
expression of the baneful and IL
legitimate influence surrounding the Legisla-
ture at the present time. It Is painfully ad-
mitted that mercenary men. denominated the
lobby, equal in ability. superior in number
and exceeding in activity the Legislature,
have gathered about the capitol like carrion
birds to fatten on the decay OF public NOR
ais. Ignoring their duty as citizens, ,spurning
the interests Of the State and needing only,
with siekening alacrity, the proffered prom
ises OF paltry reward, they hang around
the capitol, penetrating the corridors, boldly
entering the halls OF legislation and elinglng
ike barnacles upon the ears Of the wearied
inspiration and the methods Of the lobby
work havoc and desolation upon honest in
tentions and w0rselt0 any. unfortunate and
vulnerable man who falls within its greedy
power. For vote the good of an honest
man Is freely exchanged and for an advan-
tage to their cause a well-earned character
Is assdiled.
The assembly lobby Is not only disgrace
TO the State and perpetual irritation 10 all
honest men, but 1t Is as well esncerous sore
upon itself. 1t breeds corruption and dis
honorable practices within itself Even when
Joined In common cause reasonable conf
dence Is not maintained between the principal
and his cohorts. For money fradulently OBJ
tanned the lobby sells the reputation Of an
honest man. They speculate upon the even
chance that certain member will vote a
pending measure and II that member with
the purest motives, by his vote unconscious
ly sustains the scheme, the lobby secures
the money. upon the wicked allegation that
the honest member has been bribed. At
once the master and the victim have been
betrayed. The lobby has been enriched,
but an innocent man has suffered an irrepara-
bic injury.
This state of affairs will exist as long as RI
val interests seeking hearing in the halls
OF legislation continue to fortify their petit
tions with the influence of paid retainers.
Legislation should be deliberate and our
laws must not be poisoned at the fountain.
OF out statutes, not only will legislation fail,
but soon our executive and judicial depart
ments Will rest upon an unsafe foundation.
Only the force OF character and faithfulness
OF the legislators can protect the people,
whose servants they are, from these vitiating
influences. III any walk in life, argument Is
sharpened with promises, reason lured with
lucre or merchandise made OF morals. Let us
preserve Wholesome atmosphere around the
capital OF our beloved State, and let the in
tegrity Of our fathers continue to surround
the halls Of legislation, that our laws may
never be polluted at their inception, nor men
with good intention be lured from a faithful
discharge Of public trust.
EZRA s. STEARNs,
B. FRANK NEALLEY,
LYcURGUs l.. PITMAN.
agree with the above findings as to the
main question, and while heartily In accord
with the general sentiment expressed In the
latter part of this report, dissent from the
superfiuity OF language and expression.
NATHAN c. JAMESON.
Debate on the railroad bills was resumed
in the House this morning. Mr.. Stone of
Andover and Mr.. Bill Of Exeter both spoke
In favor Of the Hazen bill.